FINANCIAL ASPECT

Evening Post, Volume XCVII, Issue 142, 18 June 1919, Page 9

FINANCIAL ASPECT

WINTER SHOW IS PROFITABLE

TABLE OF RECEIPTS AND EXPEN-

DITURE

Summer shows and autumn shows, with their large exhibition of stock, are very oostly concerns to run, and in order to secure a balance on the right side A. and P. Associations are forced to go, cap in hand, for donations and .trophies. To tho credit of the rural population and .many of the . business concerns in the towns and cities, it'must be said that the measure of support received is very, encouraging. The Manawatu Association is not ah exception to this rule as regards the Spring Show, and annually faces the problem of making the exhibition "pay." It has been proved time and again that members' subscriptions, numerous as they are, and the "gate," big as it is, are insufficient to cover the expenses. Consequently private subscriptions are relied upon, and they seldom fail to give the desired result. A GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY: It has come to be generally recognised! that A. and P; shows are very desirable, especially in a community which relies to such a great extent upon the primary industries. A show has wonderful educative value if viewed in the proper perspective. Every fanner has something to learn, and tho more he learns, the more efficient he becomes, the greater his return from his land, and the better for the country as ai whole. ' Is this not a case, then, where a Government subsidy; would be money well spent? - The subject is not a new one. For years., the Manawatu Association has been prominent in the agitation for a Government subsidy, but the arguments have yet fallen on deaf ears, as far as those who control tho .country's finances are concerned. The request is regarded in most^ quarters as a very reasonable one, and it is hoped that some day ib,e Government ' will open. its heart, and its purse, and come to the assistance of those who are doing a valuable national work.' It may be that the Government is of opinion that there are too many A. and P. Shows, which would mean too many subsidies. The general opinion seems to be that there are too many shows. That being so, it is contended, . he Government's decision to pay subsidies to 'approved shows only might have the effect of reducing the number of shows. In many quarters such a reduction would be welcomed.

POSITION OF THE WINTER SHOW.

' It seems cjuite clear that if the Government did decide to subsidise approved A. and P. Shows the National Dairy Show at Palmerston North would be among those which would not- benefit. There are many reasons why the Winter Show is so much more profitable than the Spring Show. In the first place there is scarcely any stock to be fed and cared for. Again, the Show is held almost completely under cover, and the crowd goes through the tnmstiles whether it be wet or fine. , Further, the Winter Show extends over a longer period. The receipts at the Winter Show have always been greater than the expenses ; at least, that has been the case srnce 1904. Before that the'accounts were not kept separately. It is known, however, that the first Dairy Show held at the old Theatre Royal, Palmerston North, was not a financial success. In 1904 the difference between receipts and expenditure was £124 in favour of the fe™™ S 1 1912' the first Show after Mr. W. IT. Penny had been appointed secretary, the difference was, roughly £564. The war .caused rather a set back in the progressive march of receipts, but last year, when the receipts were a, record, the difference was £902 Following is a complete table of receipts and expenditure since 1904 ■—

.Receipts. 1904 1250 8 10 1905 1290 17 10 1905 1208 3 5 1907 1167 9 1 1908 1064 12 2 1909 ......... 1217 10 1 1910 1305 17 4 1911 ......... 1050 6 5 1912, 1424 3 6 1913 1739 9 8 1914 1819 n 3 1915 163S 17 1 1916 , 1740 0 7 ' 1917 1808 4 5 > U)18 .CS&'i II. n Expenses & s. d. 1126 3 3 1031 5 3 1118 1 5 .999 3 8 982 11 2 950 6 7 971 0 6 1CC3 13 11 950 7 7 . 1245 7 9 1327 0 11 1475 19 10 1311 U 5 1248 2 3 *St2A ■ -■%. ■ ■